About the Seminar

On November 22, Be Well Medical Center hosted a well-attended seminar on heart failure. The session featured three expert speakers:

• Dr. Mowae, family doctor and partner at the Be Well Medical Center
• Dr. Ben van Zoelen, retired general cardiologist and member of the Be Well Medical Advisory Committee
• Dr. Kitigon, CEO of Royal Heart Medical and interventional cardiologist at Prachuap Khiri Kan Hospital

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is unable to pump blood as effectively as it should. While it is not a disease itself, it represents symptoms of an underlying heart condition. Although heart failure cannot be cured, the risk can be significantly reduced by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Smoking, excessive alcohol, fatty foods, and lack of exercise are key factors to avoid.

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

If you experience these symptoms, consult your doctor. Even without symptoms, regular heart check-ups are recommended for people over 60, those with a family history of heart failure, or younger individuals with obesity or related risk factors.

Diagnostic tools include blood tests (NT-proBNP), ECG, imaging such as echocardiograms and coronary angiograms, stress tests, and chest X-rays.

• Beta Blockers: Lower blood pressure, slow the heartbeat, and improve blood flow. (Generic names often end in “-ol.”)
• Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARB): Relax blood vessels to reduce blood pressure by blocking the action of angiotensin II. (Generic names end in “-tan.”)
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors: Prevent the formation of angiotensin II, helping relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. (Generic names end in “-pril.”)

He stressed that medication must be carefully managed and taken exactly as prescribed.

Dr. Van Zoelen also explained the use of pacemakers, including:

• Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT): Improves coordination of the heart’s ventricles.
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): Detects and corrects life-threatening arrhythmias by delivering an electrical shock to restore normal rhythm.

• Coronary Angiogram: Uses X-rays to identify narrowed or blocked arteries.
• Coronary Stenting: A small mesh tube is inserted to keep the artery open, performed at the Royal Heart catheterization lab.

For more complex cases, he detailed options such as coronary bypass surgery, valve repairs, left ventricular repair, left ventricle assist devices, and heart transplantation. These procedures are typically performed at specialized tertiary or academic hospitals.

Dr. Kitigon visits Be Well Medical Center monthly for outpatient consultations, including echocardiograms.